Höegh names sixth Aurora-class PCTC

Höegh Autoliners has named the 9,100-CEU Höegh Moonlight at a ceremony in Gothenburg. The sixth pure car truck carrier (PCTC) in the 12-ship Aurora-class was sponsored by Jenny Westermark, senior vice president, GTO Production Logistics, at Volvo Group.

The 25,200dwt vessel is 199.9m long, has a maximum ramp weight of 375 tonnes, and will fly the Norwegian flag.  

The Oslo-based company claims that its Aurora Class PCTCs are the most technically advanced and environmentally friendly car carriers built so far. The first eight ships are powered by LNG dual-fuel engines, but with a special bunker tank configuration, they are ‘ready’ to run on ammonia in the future.

The last four vessels will also be of dual-fuel design but will operate on ammonia from delivery. They are due to join the Höegh fleet from 2027.   

Hailing the strong partnership between Höegh Autoliners and Volvo Group, the shipping company’s CEO, Andreas Enger, said: “The naming of Höegh Moonlight demonstrates our strong commitment to decarbonising deep-sea shipping – not in the future, but right now, today. These vessels are not concepts; they are working, sailing answers to one of the most urgent challenges in our industry. I would like to thank Jenny Westermark for graciously sponsoring the vessel.”

The first eight ships are claimed to cut emissions per transported car by 58% compared with the industry average.